Simple circuits and the direction of batteries

[kjamha]

When constructing a simple circuit with a battery, bulb and a switch, the placement of the battery is unimportant (I can hook up the battery + then - or - then +). So why is it that so many battery powered electronic devices only work if the batteries are inserted in a specific direction?

 

[cjl]

Because many devices care about polarity. If you want to see this in your simple circuit, replace the bulb with an appropriate LED.

 

[Drakkith]

As Cjl said, there are electronic components that care a great deal about polarity. Transistors and diodes are two examples. Reverse the polarity and neither of these components will function correctly and may actually be destroyed.

 

[sophiecentaur]

Then there are electric motors, many of which go one way with one connection and the other way when connected the other way. That is pretty relevant!
Swap the connections to an electromagnet and the N pole becomes an S pole.

 

[pmacias]

This is because of the way the circuit is designed and the components used in the electronic device. In a simple circuit, the direction of the battery does not matter because the bulb will still light up as long as there is a complete path for the electricity to flow. However, in more complex circuits, there may be specific components, such as diodes, that only allow electricity to flow in one direction. Therefore, if the batteries are inserted in the wrong direction, the circuit will not work. Additionally, some electronic devices may have specific components, such as transistors, that require a certain polarity (positive or negative) to function properly. In these cases, the direction of the battery is crucial for the device to work correctly. Overall, the direction of the battery in a circuit depends on the specific design and components used, and it is important to follow the instructions for proper functioning of the device.